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Do or don't: Seeing movies alone

Do you ever go to movies alone? There's something really fun about going to the theatre, buying a ticket, riding up the eight zillion escalators, finding the perfect seat, eating the pizza you snuck in, and watching a movie all by yourself (surrounded by strangers). You can enjoy the movie without wondering what your friend is thinking; and after it's done, you can walk home mulling it all over. I love it. So, I'm curious: Do you like seeing movies alone, or do you prefer to go with friends?

The next movie I'd like to see solo is The Descendants with George Clooney. Critics have been flipping out. "To call The Descendants perfect would be a kind of insult," raved A.O. Scott in his New York Times review, "a betrayal of its commitment to, and celebration of, human imperfection."

Go see this movie! It premiered here in Telluride, Colorado in September (with GC and the entire cast - swoon). It is heartwarming and heartbreaking. I love going to movies alone. Go alone - Go with a friend - Just go!

One of my favorite little luxuries. I often go to the movies alone while my husband is in night class on Mondays. We meet up after for a drink and bite. I can talk about the movie and it helps him take his mind off of class

I would go alone. My local theater is playing all the Twilight movies in a row tonight leading up to the new one. I haven't seen any and actually thought about going to see all by myself. But life came up and I don't have the time anymore. And thanks for sharing this trailer...The Descendants looks like such a great movie!

My eyes were opened to the solo movie watching phenomenon around this time last year. I had been away while my friends saw True Grit but I desperately wanted to see it before it left the theater. I bucked up, bought my ticket and LOVED every second of it. Movies don't create a great conversation atmosphere, so it was neat to watch the film without feeling responsible for adding witty sidebar comments!

One of my favorite treats for myself! My husband took our son to visit my husband's family this week and one way that I'm reveling in my time alone (between getting weepy over missing my boys) is going to the movies this weekend. I can't wait to see this movie!And don't tell Regal Cinemas, but I like to go to matinees when I know the theater will be mostly empty and have sushi while I watch. It brings me a level of joy that is probably not totally appropriate :)

I love going to the movies alone - it's nice 'me' time, I can see whatever I want to and the best part is that I can look at the schedule and if there's something I want to see in 10 minutes I don't worry about whether or not I can find someone who will go with me! That said, there are certain movies that I love seeing with other people - Sex in the City etc. Girls nights!

Yep, all the time. I learned it from my mother. She told me at 13 that grown-up women enjoy outings, esp. the movies, alone. Looking forward to The Descendants & the new Marilyn movie with Michelle Williams. I live a short walk from the AFI Theatre just outside the DC line & I really love going there. With friends & alone.

This is actually on my bucket list! It makes me a little nervous, and that's why I think I should do it. However, I do think that things are typically funnier when you're with a group, and I'd be way too terrified to see a scary movie alone, so I'd have to select the film carefully!

I do a lot of things by myself (I'm a single girl) but I still felt sort of embarrassed the couple of movies I went to alone. Like everyone is thinking "she couldn't find ANY friends to come with her?!"

I do go alone, but not often. (I don't go to movies often period, really.) I like not having pressure agree on a movie or arrange the before/after stuff. It is oh so nice to just watch a movie and be able to think about it before being forced into a conversation about it.

I love going to the movies alone. It means that what you see is your very on choice. I've never found movies to be a great choice for a date, even though it is fun stitting there wondering if your date is going to hold your hand.

I'm addicted to seeing films alone but all my friends are really shocked when they find out I do that. What I love best in going to see a midweek matinee as I feel like a teenager again skipping school. I cry easily at films so it's less embaressing going on my own.

I do it all the time. I do think it's easier and more normal to do in New York but I sort of believe it's a rite of passage everyone should do just once. Of course, it can get awkward like the time I saw Finding Neverland by myself and did the ugly cry and people were looking at me with concern and pity thinking "who is the sad crying lady who is all alone?"

By myself, nothing beats that kind of alone time!! Even as much as I like going with friends, I would always choose going alone. And I agree that it is empowering. Really empowering. First time I did it, I was a bit nervous, but then... It's just my own little habit!

I LOVE going to movies alone. I didn't think I would, but after the first time, I changed my mind. I'm a college student, and I live 30 minutes from campus. So occasionally, after having a stressful day in class, I reward myself by stopping by a movie on my way home. It's a great stress relief!

The freedom in seeing a movie alone is so precious. The first movie I saw alone was "The Last Song." I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan. I cried like a baby when I read the book, and I counted down the days to the movie release. I went after class. A few seats away from me was a middle-aged man, there by himself. (kind of strange, but to each his own!) I loved the movie, and cried just as much as I did when I read the book.

Something about sitting alone, in a dark room full of crying strangers-that was therapeutic. I looked over at one point, and that middle-aged man was crying, too. It was good to see.

So! Yes, I highly enjoy seeing movies alone, but also enjoy seeing them with others, especially my sisters. We are "those people" who laugh and cry and sing and cheer and discuss...all through the movie :)

I rarely go to the movies alone, but the few times I did, I was usually the only one in the theater in general. That was a little creepy, sitting all by myself in an empty room. The first time I was 15 and I watched "The Rock" and the second time I was in my mid-twenties and watched a Dutch film adaption of one of my favorite books.

I would rather go with someone, but I have no issue with going to see a movie by myself. However, after my last experience I am thinking twice about the TYPE of movie I view solo. I saw the Black Swan. I loved the movie, but it was a bit too dark and intense to watch alone. :)

As much as I love a reliable movie friend (I am lucky to have a few), I also love seeing a movie by myself. There is something powerful about walking out of a film with all of your thoughts and impressions in your head without them being spoken by your mouth.

I was just talking about this the other day! I love going to the movies alone. It's the least lonely (in my opinion) thing you can do, because it's dark and you're surrounded by people, so it doesn't feel sad! Plus, I'm always worried about asking people to go to movies I really want to see- what if they don't like it? I worry that they're bored or that they're not laughing as much as I am.

Tip- the best food to sneak in is a milkshake!! It's one of the only things you can't get at the theater and it fits in the cupholder. Plus, no obnoxious crunching or candy spilling/packages crinkling! Shhhh!

Movies, dinner, concerts there's something about going alone that is empowering. Everyone needs time to spend with their selves. Plus if you dress nicely when eating alone you tend to get fabulous service.

I don't mind going to the movies alone. In fact, if the movies brings out emotions (tears, pain, frustration, etc) I'd rather process the movie silently without having to talk immediately after leaving the show.

I go to the movies alone pretty often, almost always on a Sunday afternoon (at least once a month). I absolutely love sitting in a dark theatre alone and enjoying a wonderful flick. I usually sneak in my favorite vegan snacks, too. Shhhh!

I adore seeing a movie alone. I like to go on the cheap night (Tuesdays at my local theatre) and I will get a cup of coffee and a treat before I go in. I love the feeling of sitting in the dark and being absorbed by the storyline - probably doing a lot of out loud laughing or crying, too.

my friend and i have similar habits in the hall..so i have none of these issues..i hate going with people who disturb me in any way..i have never been to the movies alone..i don't know why..i have thought of it..at home though it's another story..i hate watching it with others.because they do things they won't in a hall..like move around,comment which i can hear..

I saw Midnight in Paris by myself too! It was a very spur-of-the-moment decision, and I felt so spontaneous and chic, watching a movie about the best city in the world. Of course, I walked to the bus stop afterward pretending I was walking the streets of Paris, like Owen in the film. What can I say, I'm a hopeless romantic at heart.

Oooh, no! I don't have the courage to! I am pretty a-okay with doing things by myself. I travel alone all the time, I even went to Bath Spa alone back along, which was the most relaxing day ever, but never to the movies. Maybe if I went in a town that wasn't my own it would be different.

I finally went to a movie by myself this summer, it was a goal of mine, haha, and I loved it! I love seeing movies both by myself, with my honey, and with friends. I think it all depends on the movie! I just added this movie to my list of must sees!

Oh yes, I go all the time by myself! It's the best. The trick is to sneak in right as the movie starts so you can slip in the dark and there's no need to feel embarrassed you're there by yourself :) xo

I love it! The last movie I saw solo was "The Kids Are All Right". I really wanted to see the movie and couldn't think of anyone to drag along who would appreciate it. I do think I've only been to the cheap theatre alone, two bucks. There is something great about it I can't quite put words to.

I've always looooove going to movies alone. But here in Texas we have the Alamo Drafthouse, and I actually prefer going there with someone b/c they serve food and drinks and because there's no talking allowed (strictly enforced!), so I don't have to worry about an overly chatty friend.

I'm going to stand up and be different here: I would MUCH rather have someone with me. Because I love the feeling of bursting through the door of the theater at the end and suddenly exploding with all the pent up conversation/reactions to the movie we've both been harboring the whole time! I love instantly having somebody to react with-even if it's a healthy debate when we don't feel the same! I love alone time-but not at the movies!

I like seeing movies alone. I did it a lot more often when I was single; but it's still a nice way to have some time to myself and see a movie that only I want to see. The only problem is that I like to discuss movies after I see them...and it's kind of hard to do that with myself :)

Alone or with friends, they're both great! That said, I've often wondered about friends who go through hard core elaborate coordinating to get together to see a movie... in the end it's not a particularly 'social' social activity. ;-)

I love going to the movies alone! No waiting for late people, no shushing a chatty friend, no sharing popcorn (heeheehee). My husband & I have a 7-month old; since we have no babysitter, I've suggested we go to see the same movie separately, and then can talk about it later when we're both home!

going to matinee by yourself in the afternoon is sooo indulgent. it feels rebellious somehow- how everybody else is at work and you're cozied in a theater. i actually just wrote it on my "what i'm going to do when this semester of grad school is done" list. for december. i'm also putting "the descendents" on that list.

I love going to movies alone, I was actually planning on having my own personal film festival tomorrow! I want to see The Descendants so badly, but unfortunately, it's not playing within 100 miles of my home.

I love going to the movies by myself, and would occasionally do this after work to decompress. A few months after my wedding, I had a particularly challenging day at work and just sort of did what I normally would—got some food, turned my phone off, and went to a good movie. Since I often worked later than that I didn't even think to let my husband know, but apparently he had tried to call my office and my cell, and when I didn't answer and didn't show up he started to freak out a little. He finally called my (former) roommates and they told him to calm down and that I was probably at a movie and would show up in a couple hours. Sure enough... Poor guy! After that I always let him know if I needed to disappear for a couple hours.

On the day before my 20th birthday, I was feeling bummed out about only having one more day to be a teenager, and wanted to treat myself to a me date. I went shopping alone, went out to lunch alone, and went to see "Sherlock Holmes" alone.

It was really refreshing, and kind of liberating.

Bonus: The movie had been out for a few weeks already, and it was a matinee showing, so I was the only person in the theater (consequently, i just had to go to the bathroom during the spooky parts!)

I'm a uni student and can't afford to go to the movies as much as I'd like to, but anytime I do it, I go by myself. I love it! Living with a roommate in a single-bedroom apartment, going to the movies alone is an awesome way to get away of it all and get transported to a fictional reallity.

I haven't done it yet but I think I'm definitely going to. Sometimes no one wants to see your movie, or no one's around, and like you said it's easy to do when you live in NYC. This post has inspired me, I'm doing it!

i used to go see movies on my own when i was living in brimingham/ uk as a student. it felt kind of strange but then i loved it in a way as well. i always chose spontaneously at the cash register what movie to see. nowadays i don't do it anymore. but i want to try it again this weekend with "i don't know how she does it" hitting the german movie theatres this weekend. hopefully i won't feel strange and lonely... and i definitely want to see "the descendants", looks very promising. have a great day, joanna.

I enjoy seeing movies alone for the same reasons... especially ones I get overly sappy for. As Ellen said, usually not the comedies though. As much as I love seeing movies in the theater, sometimes I do wish I had someone to talk about it with afterwards. I just saw Beginners by myself and loved it. I'd love to hear what someone else got out of it too. I just saw this trailer the other day and can't wait to see it too. Definitely another loner.

I also love going to movies solo. I first went to a movie alone when we moved to a new city, had no babysitter, and I wanted to see a chick flick. I figured, why not go alone? And it's great, it's nice time to get some me time and see the movies my partner will never watch with me! And I prefer to spend the little time I have with my girlfriends actually visiting rather than watching a movie together.

It's been a long time since I've gone to see a movie alone, and you've reminded me how much I miss it! I used to live near the perfect solo movie-watching theater that was never too crowded. I think the last movie I went to alone was Eat, Pray, Love and I may or may not have driven 40 miles to see it in "my" theater. So I guess part of the watching a movie alone experience for me is where I watch it. Kind of silly :)

I have only done this once, and it was recently. I went to see The Help on a Saturday night alone and it was SO fun. I wore my yoga pants and ate pretzels and chocolate. It was a good time and I felt very refreshed when I left. I highly recommend it!

oh I L=O=V=E it! I thought I was alone , no one in my life understand this ! I hate when people talk to me during movies ( Major pet peeve), love to let the movie sink in my mind after and i get the glosettes all for myself!

sure, why not? although, when i was in my twenties and younger, i would've been too self-conscious! i've even gone to a concert by myself at the last minute when i couldn't round up friends to go on a busy saturday. one thing, doing things by yourself whether it's the movies or whatever, you'll always be in good company :)

NEVER alone! But who to take to what movie depends on the movie. Sometimes you need to hear every word. Sometimes you just need to laugh and joke. And sometimes it's not about the movie at all...but who you're with...together! :-)

am i living under a rock? i haven't heard of this movie, and it looks incredible! i've never seen a movie alone at the theatre, but now i really want to! it's sounds relaxing and fun. a good way to have some "me time."

I love it! My husband and I moved to Montreal this summer for his job - not knowing a soul! I was unemployed and had a lot of free time on my hands. So as a treat to myself, after my morning French class, I would skip off to see a English language film and feel so at home. It was the best. I'm working now, but sometimes get the urge to sneak out for a few hours to catch a movie (and eat popcorn and drink a big ole Coke!)....

A few years ago I was living in California with my grandmother (my boyfriend-now-husband was still in Oregon). I had a terrible time connecting with anyone there and didn't make any close friends, so I went to LOTS of movies alone. I loved it, and the fact that I was lonely made it that much better. It made me feel like the star of my own movie - yes (I thought), I'm lonely now, but this is all preliminary stuff. Soon (since this was my movie) something will happen and things will change. And they did! Thanks for bringing back those fond memories.

It's one of my very favorite things to do. Like, the kind of favorite that you'd write in the 'about me' section of an application. Sneak in some snacks and enjoy WHATEVER movie you choose. No checking in with what everyone else wants. It's all about you for 2 hours. That is so liberating.

Yes, see movies alone! Your can react and form your own opinion separate from the influence of a viewing partner - a special kind of enjoyment. :) Sneak in chocolate coated poppycock popcorn - delicious.

It's one of those silly things that I wasn't sure of at first, but my husband is gone so often, I had to take the plunge and try it. I love it! I can't wait to see The Descendants -- it looks awesome!!

yep, I love going by myself. I would do so quite often before I met my now husband, but now that we have a baby and we can't all go together yet, I have started going alone again....actually I will be going soon to see the new Twilight! I get popcorn and water or bring favorite chocolate. I hate eating at restaurants alone though! cant do it!

i haven't done it yet. I planned on doing it with "Drive". i couldn't find anyone to go with me, and one of my guys friends said "it would be like you were on a date with Ryan Gosling". score.so i am getting up the guts to do it.

yes! i do movies solo and my husband does too.. once we went to our local dollar theater and he wanted to see a scary movie and i didn't, so we parted: he saw his scary flick and i saw my chick flick. then we went home!

GREAT IDEA!!!!Anonymous said...My husband & I have a 7-month old; since we have no babysitter, I've suggested we go to see the same movie separately, and then can talk about it later when we're both home!

All. The. Time. I mean, I wouldn't go to dinner by myself or go to see a live band or to a bar by myself, but going to a movie is completely and totally easy to do alone, and I even prefer it. I can sit where I want, eat what I want, and really enjoy the experience without wondering if a companion is getting the same things out of it that I am. Something about sitting in the dark makes you feel invisible too, so it doesn't matter if you are alone.

I've only been to the movies alone once, I remember that as I was doing the line to buy my ticket I thought I was really depressing, but as soon as I sat down and started enjoying my popcorn, I realized I was having so much fun! Sometimes I have lunch by myself too, I go to a nice restaurant and eat something new. It can be quite fantastic!

Do it all the time! We don't get many date nights, and I work freelance and I get an occasional weekday off, but we have a full time sitter for the kids, so I sneak out to a movie matinee. Love it! Movies I saw this month were... Martha Marcy May, 50/50, Ides of March...

I love going alone! And especially sneaking in my favorite snacks and not having to share them. I love escaping into a movie, and still feeling lost in it after when you're by yourself is so much fun. It's fun to stay in that movie bubble for a while because you often lose it once you start talking with someone else right after. With a 6 month old and a full time work schedule, I can't imagine when I'll get to do this again, but I'm hoping for an early day off (or few!) this winter while he's still at day care and I can sneak a couple of hours to myself.

Also, I really want to see the Descendants for many reasons (Clooney... sigh...), but the main is that my aunt has a cameo in it! She is sitting next to Clooney in an airplane scene. She had some great stories of him from her full day of shooting it. She's a crazy, fun local Hawaiian lady. Chance of a lifetime for her!

I love going to the movies by myself, especially when it's something most of my friends won't like as much as I will. That said, going to a great movie with a group is also fun and makes for great conversation afterward.

I like going to movies by myself. I used to do it more often than I do-I used to be sort of a loner, and now have more pals! : ) But it always struck me at strange, in high school my friends and I ALWAYS went to the movies, but it's really sort of an anti-social thing to do--you don't talk at all, and I prefer reflecting on movies by myself. I would also really recommend the movie Like Crazy--it just came out and it is SO good.

I do like both. But i sometimes love going by myself. Like you said you (sort of) you can completely focus on the film and just enjoy. I mean if you want to really see the movie and none of your friends want to go, do what makes you happen.

I have it to with going out for a bite to eat, going to a concert or a theater.

I see movies alone, dont tell anyone, in the middle of day...go to a cinema across town with my treats with the odd people who can do it in the middle of the working week...my shift work allows it and my partner and kids just think I've been keeping house, shopping etc. It's a great big secret indulgence. Even the fact that I am 'up' with latest movies doesn't make anyone suspicious...I like it like that too. Some time to myself that no-one knows about.Def saw Clooney movies in past by myself , also see corny movies or offbeat movies that I don't want to discuss with others as soon as we get out of the cinema but just think about privately.

I used to go to the cinema by myself all the time (haven't lately though). Once when I was a student in London I went in the afternoon and there was no one else in the theatre. I thought that was pretty spooky and then a lone man came in. If there is one thing worse than a movie theatre all to yourself, it is one with just you and a complete stranger. I left and called my mom and she suggested I sit in the back row so I could keep my eye on him. When I got back in, HE was sitting in the back row! Luckily for my nerves, some pensioners joined us right before the film started. All my worrying was for nothing!

I've never had a problem with attending movies by myself, I think there's something liberating about being on your own for the day. I'm the black sheep of my friends, if you will. The majority of them do not believe in going to the theater by themselves, "it looks weird."

I love going to movies alone. I've never had a problem going to the movies, a restaurant, or traveling alone. I kind of relish the experience! BUt I'm an only child so I've always had my hermit/solo tendencies, haha

I have no qualms about going to a movie by myself. I prefer going with friends or family and making a social night out of it, but I'm not going to miss out on a film I'm dying to see just because nobody is available to tag along. Independence! I went to the cinema solo not too long ago; saw The Help -- so good.

I have never gone to a movie alone, just have always had friends to go to chick flicks with, and my husband for anything else I want to see. Joanna, my daughter and SIL in NY aren't going to movies in NYC because of bedbugs. I feel bad for them, and would love to know your thoughts on that. They aren't overly OCD or anything, so I guess they've heard something about it and are cautious? Anything you could tell me about it? Thnx.

I've only gone to the movies alone when I have no one to go with me, and it's always made me feel terribly lonely and depressed. For me, it's better as a shared experience, but seeing that so many of you LOVE going alone maybe I should try it again? Without having a pity-party. xo.

I really enjoy going to the movies alone...I had a phase where i was going every Sunday. I would get my popcorn, a drink, and cozy up at the local theatre - it was a nice little tradition. I wonder what people think is more difficult, movies alone or eating alone? I don't mind either and think it is important to get your 'me time'!

i used to go to the movies alone a lot! i was single and a flight attendant so I would have long spells of days off...and sometimes i got bored. plus going to matinees during the week meant a pretty much empty theater. i felt like the whole show was for me. i always quite liked it. :)

totally alone, i say! i love going to movies solo and always enjoy them more. i saw UP IN THE AIR alone at midnight and had the most incredible movie watching experience because it is a movie about solitude.

yes, I like this sometimes - but I think I prefer a light lunch alone, mulling over a book with a glass of pinot and something nice to eat.

and oh my god, I have to go check out this movie. I LOVE George Cluny. He is aging so well it's not even fair to call it aging - ripening, perhaps, is better. I think our entire culture could take a tip from Cluny about the sexiness of charisma and a good smile when paired with some lines on the face and some silver hair.

And how much did you love Up in the Air? I was so glad that he didn't end up with the girl - it would have destroyed the film's nuance AND its maturity. I cannot WAIT to see another paean to human imperfection with this man. Cluny is where it's at!!

I love to go with my husband and/or with my children but I also love to go by myself, usually when kids are or were in school. Some times it's the only way I can see a movie. I told my sister I was going to a movie by myself one day and she said she never thought to go by herself and I was floored (she has 6 kids but all are in school).

omg, i miss doing that in nyc (A LOT) i've done it a few times here on this little caribbean island, but it's just not the same. the movies are soooo not the same as in the states. there is this really fun restaurant on st john that does dinner and a movie from the 80's - amazing!!! i also love george clooney and will add this to my netflix list, thank you!xoxo

I used to do it fairly regularly, and enjoyed it, but haven't in a while. (When my husband and I were dating long-distance, we used to have what we called "trans-continental movie dates"--we'd pick a movie and see it on the same day, and then talk about it the following evening.

I love seeing movies alone. I started when I was living on the West Coast and didn't know anybody and carried it with me during my time in NYC where I knew a lot of people! Now that I'm in an area with no close friends, I suspect I'll continue with my solo movie going...

when i was single, i loved going to a late night movie all by myself. it was so relaxing to just sit and watch without anyone else around. now that i'm engaged, i usually want to see movies with my guy . . . i need to decompress afterwards by talking to him about it!

I did, once. I felt better about doing it the city where I felt more anonymous, since it would be seen as just SAD in my smaller town. I saw Smilla's Sense of Snow, and actually felt so liberated and free. When I started dating my now-husband, he couldn't believe that I had done something like that, and felt sorry for my "aloneness"...lol. I still try to make him understand that time in my life, and while I wouldn't trade the time I had being "attached" to him, I sometimes wish that period of liberation had been a bit longer.

I go to movies alone all the time! I go with my boyfriend or friends too, of course, but I enjoy going by myself. I have really ecclectic taste, and I'm not going to miss out on seeing something I like just because I can't find anyone else interested in seeing it. I especially love it if I can slip out of work a little early and go to a late afternoon movie during the week! There's something about it that makes me feel like I'm playing hookie, but also like a really independent woman.

Back when I was single and just out of college with no real friend base, I went to a lot of movies and concerts alone. Sometimes it was lonely (mostly only during romantic comedies), but for the most part I really enjoyed myself because I only had my own enjoyment to "worry" about.

At concerts, I would inevitably make new friends, sometimes just for the length of the concert, and sometimes longer. There is no easier bond (however temporary) than a shared love of music.

I don't ever want to miss out on something that makes me happy because I don't have anyone else to do it with me.

I used to go to the movie alone a lot before and i totally love it. Nothing beats the feeling of having total control of choosing a movie by yourself. A good relaxation thing to do after a long day at work. Although sometimes choosing a seat can be tricky (you'll be surprised as a girl going to the movie alone can be quite obvious! You could end up sitting to a creepy guy who tries try to chat you up and do all crepy stuffs like leaning closer and closer to you). But otherwise its a fun thing to do

I'll never forget my first solo movie, a French one called When the Cat's Away. It has a soft spot in my heart! I love seeing movies alone but I rarely get out to do it. The Descendants looks SO good. George Clooney is a true movie star in the best possible sense!

I'd never gone to movies alone, but we just bought a house in this awesome neighborhood in Seattle and there is a really cool old movie theatre 2 blocks away. A few weeks ago my husband was out with our 14 month old son and decided to walk down to the theatre and see the final Harry Potter (it's a second run theatre). I didn't have to share my popcorn and I loved walking home alone. It was great!

I'm thinking of sneaking out to see The Help this weekend. Glad I'm not the only one who does this. Sort of a guilty pleasure!

I don't mind usually but I live in the UK (london area) where you are considered 'sad' (pathetic and friendless) if you go to certain places alone eg for a meal, a coffee or worst of all - a movie! Gasp...I wish in lived in another country...:(

I love going by myself. I started going to the movies solo when I was studying film at university. Since finishing uni I haven't been in years but it tend to go for a guilty pleasure (I'm thinking of going to see the new Twilight film on my own, my partner definitely won't come).

I like movies alone, but have started to prefer it with friends. Sometimes it's awkward going alone, depending on where you are. Some cities seem to be more loner-like and it's normal to go to restaurants or movies alone. Other cities it seems like everyone has a friend or kid in tow. Sometimes going alone I feel like I should have someone to go with, or that people wonder why I don't.... but, I like going to movies on a whim.

I go alone all the time. It started when my kids were little and I was nursing. I needed some out of the house time and had about two hours until I needed to nurse again. So I started going to the movies. It was fun, relaxing, and just me (as only a new mom can appreciate). My kids are 7 and 9 now but I still use this as me time. It is one of my favorite things. Great post

A neighbour of ours isn't married, but was in a long-term relationship with a lovely woman, with whom he'd often go to see movies. After she passed away, he would go to see movies without anyone else, but tell friends that he was going to see a movie with an old girlfriend.

It might be the sweetest and saddest love story that I've ever heard and whenever someone mentions going to the movies alone, it's the first thing that I think about.

I used to love seeing movies alone until I got groped in a full theater by an old man sitting next to me. Now I feel such anxiety when people sit next to me in theaters, I always go with someone I know and sit on the end.

I go to the movies by myself all the time, just love it! My friends have parents in the film and theatre world and are in dramaschool themselves, so they always talk about how well the acting was etc., so it's never just watching and falling in love with the story...when I go by myself it's like going on a date with me. Just a little treat :)

This is something I've always wanted to do but ever since a friend told me about her experience I've been too nervous to try. The first, and only time, she went to the movies alone. Some strange guy sat next to her and told her he'd bought them popcorn. Awkward!

I havent gone alone in quite some time but i felt it was freeing! Your practically alone anyways whether your with friends or a room full of people, since your silently watching the film anyways. I recommend doing it if you havent, its great! Friends of mine thought it was odd last time I mentioned going solo, as if it was sad maybe!? but its great you must try it folks!

I love going to certain movies on my own. Just like you said, you can get into it and not worry about whether the person you're with likes it or not. I keep thinking I'll play hooky one day and go see a matinee and not tell anyone! -lbs

I really enjoy seeing movies on my own. Not having to worry about what the other person thinks makes for a different experience. Since having a baby though, I've started going to "Stars and Strollers" movies where the theatre is open to moms (or dads) and their babies. The lights are a bit brighter and the sound not quite as loud, but the films are still new features. Not alone exactly, but it's an easy way for new parents to get out and see a movie.

The zillion escalators at the movies is definitely an NYC thing. The first time I did it, I freaked out! In LA we have at most 2 floors but most of our theaters require no escalators at all! I watched ALOT of movies by myself when I was living in Europe. I loved it, except for when it was a sad movie then I had no one to hold my hand. :(

I love going to the movies alone. In fact, I was trying to go this afternoon to an early showing of Breaking Dawn but I couldn't get there in time. I'll just wait until after the hubbub of the weekend to see it at a matinee next week. Anyway, I love being in the theatre in the early part of the day, by myself, with almost no one else around. It's a great experience.